Delegation Resource Manual: Mock Session
Page 76
YMCA PA Youth & Government Program
CHAPTER 6: Mock Session
Mock Sessions are held in Eastern and Western Pennsylvania on a Saturday in late January or early
February.
This is a training program for those elected to statewide offices and for persons expecting to attend
the Model Government Convention in one of the many capacities. Old friendships are renewed and
new ones begin on this day and are carried forward to the Convention.
Participation in this training session is mandatory for all officers, alternates and delegates who are
planning to attend the Convention in Harrisburg.
For Bill Sponsors and other club members, the Mock Session provides an opportunity for students
to present their bills to others outside of their club. Reactions both positive and negative are learned
at this time and general feeling about the bill can be assessed. Through the debate process, ideas for
strengthening the legislation will surface. Following this day of training, each will put the finishing
touches on their bills before sending them along with the registrations for the convention.
This day will provide a realistic committee and assembly practice for all participants. Students will
learn how a committee functions and will get a feel for the flow of debating bills on the Assembly
Floor. At this time, there is no passage or failure of Bills at either committee or assembly level. Bill
Sponsors need to bring 25 copies of their bills to share with committee members.
Mock provides officers of the Model Convention, including candidates for party floor leader, an
opportunity to experience and practice their respective positions. They will discover skills that need
improvement prior to the convention in April.
Workshops for each position will be conducted prior to the Committee and Assembly Sessions.
Each year, 7 bills are selected for debate on the floor in the afternoon session. No more than one
bill from a club will be selected for debate. A mini Bill Book will be assembled for the session.
There will be a time for people to learn about the opportunity to attend the National Affairs
Conference in North Carolina in July. This will be done through a presentation by students who
have attended in the past.
A primary for Governor will be run. Each side of the State may choose up to 3 candidates to run at
the Model Legislature in April.
